Get Ahead of Holiday Spending with These Seasonal Side-Gigs

With the holidays approaching, some people are beginning to stress out. Buying gifts can be a joy, but it can also be a huge hit to the wallet.

According to one study, the average American spent over $900 on gifts!

There’s no information on how many people budget for presents, but based on what we hear from others, a good chunk of the overspending can be due to impulse and last-minute buys.

If you’re worried about going into debt this season, we have a way you can avoid it and possibly earn some extra cash to offset any unexpected or more expensive costs that pop up.

Earn Extra Money This Season

The sharing economy, among other factors, has been a driving force in creating extra opportunities to establish an income stream.

The beauty of side hustles – even seasonal ones – is that they open up options you didn’t have before. You can use the money to supplement your spending over the next few months and/or save up for an important goal you have coming up next year.

With so many options out there, you can find one that fits your needs and suits your work schedule.

6 Superb Seasonal Side Gigs

Ready to earn some more money, but not sure where to start? Here are six side gigs you can try out this season!

• Lyft/Uber Driver – Being a Lyft or Uber driver can be a great way to earn some extra cash. In addition to taking locals around town, you may find driving for a ride-share company to be a lucrative gig, driving holiday travelers from the airport to see their loved ones.
• House/Pet Sitter – On the other side of the coin, you may be able to stash away cash by staying put. Pet or house sitting can be an easy and enjoyable option if you’re looking for an easygoing side job. Besides earning money driving for a ride-share company, you can also consider making some cash dog walking, depending on your schedule.
• Scooter Charger – Charging Bird scooters could help you save for your next travel adventure. You pick them up, charge them at home, and drop them off. With the app, you can see how much you earn per scooter. Many people are earning hundreds of dollars each month through this side gig.
• Sell Your Crafts on Etsy – Have you had people compliment some of your homemade designs and decorations? You may be able to earn a bit extra by selling them online. Whether it’s recipe jars, homemade candles, soaps, and body scrubs, there are eager buyers looking for unique and handmade gifts to give.
• Food/Grocery Delivery Driver – More and more people find themselves too busy to make a grocery run. Some parents may also need a meal, but with sick kids, they haven’t had a chance to get it so they order a meal to be delivered. Making a delivery or two on your way home in the evenings can be a relatively easy way to pad your wallet without throwing off your schedule.
• Help with Errands – Speaking of busy people, another way you can earn money is by taking care of errands for people in your area. TaskRabbit and Craigslist can be a resource as some are looking to hire others for small, but important tasks they need to have done.

Track Your Extra Income

As awesome as extra money in your pocket sounds, you want to make sure things are all settled and organized come tax time.

Many side gigs don’t withhold your taxes, so it’s up to you to make sure you’re being smart about what you may owe when it comes time to file. Apps like QuickBooks Self-Employed help you easily keep tabs on your income and expenses year-round. Your information can easily be imported to the TurboTax Self-Employed product to be ready for tax time.

After entering your basic information, it also lets you know how much you need set aside for taxes.

Thoughts on Side Gigs

We’d love to hear from you – what side gigs are you picking this season? How will you spend the money?